This weekend marks my eighth ‘fastiversary’ - eight years since I tried my first 5:2 Fast Day.
To celebrate, I thought I’d list what’s changed for me - as well as making a brand new freebie for my newsletter subscribers to download (if you’re not a member of the club, you can sign up here).
1: On August 9 2012 I weighed 11 stone 7 pounds/73kg/161lbs and my BMI was 27.6 (I am a shortie!). On August 9 2020 I weigh 9 stone 4 pounds/59kg/130lbs and my BMI is 22.2.
I am happier with my shape than I ever was in the previous 40-odd years!
2: I’ve fasted at least once a week for eight years – except on holiday. At first I fasted twice or occasionally three times a week to reach my goal weight. When I achieved the goal weight – just under 10 stone – I kept going until I reached a weight I felt really comfortable with and now I fast to stay healthy and as a check-in.
3: Fasting has kept my weight stable despite the challenging life events you’d expect over eight years – serious illness in the family, losing my mum, peri-menopause, thyroid issues – and has given me a way of feeling in control in tough times.
4: I still drink alcohol, eat carbs, and sometimes overdo it. I’m only human.
5: The pandemic and lockdown have made me crave sweet things more than I used to, which is how I have always responded to stress. So I’ve upped my fast days from one to two most weeks and let myself eat a bit more on the other days.
6: Being an accidental diet expert is rewarding but demanding – I have felt guilty after a few days when my eating hasn’t been ‘perfect.’ But I remind myself that I’ve never claimed to be a saint, and that I should not beat myself up as guilt and shame are the enemy.
7: Even though it’s worked brilliantly for me, I don’t think fasting is for everyone.
What I do believe is that the reasons people are overweight are complicated – a combination of our genes, our environment, our habits and our self-esteem – and that tackling weight problems means knowing ourselves better, being honest and supporting each other.
8: I’m focusing on my novels right now – writing thrillers as Kate Helm and love stories as Eva Carter – and the fantastic Facebook group is being run by the lovely admin team (thanks to Vicky, Nikki, Anne, Karla and all the previous volunteers over the last eight years!).
But I stay across the science and the obesity figures and will never rule out writing more – you can stay updated via my newsletter which is free and gives you access to 6 e-book downloads.